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Darren Fisher (2465 KP) rated Histoire de Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg in Music

Dec 19, 2020 (Updated Jan 15, 2021)  
Histoire de Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg
Histoire de Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg
1971 | World
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Album Rating
Ah! Melody
Clocking in at under 30mins and 7 tracks this concept album from Gainsbourg is, for me at least, his best and most consistent album. Regulars Jane Birkin (on vocals) and Jean-Claude Vannier (providing the usual high standard of arrangements and orchestra direction) join in on the proceedings. The concept is nothing new to fans of Gainsbourg, as he accidentally knocks a young girl off her bicycle whilst out driving in his Rolls, and then seduces her (as you do).
The tracks are a blend of blissed out rock with lush orchestration and Serge providing the 'spoken word' approach with his lyrics. With the album being so short you really don't have time to get bored. First time listeners may find that a lot of it sounds familiar. It will. Numerous artists have sampled this album over the years and it is considered a precursor/influence to the shortlived Trip Hop movement in the early 90's.
After the albums release Serge put out a concept video (also starring Birkin dancing around alot) giving the album a visual aspect. It's certainly worth seeking out if you like the album.

Album highlights:
Ballade de Melody Nelson
Ah! Melody
Cargo culte
  
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Darren Fisher (2465 KP) rated Sandinista! by The Clash in Music

Dec 11, 2020 (Updated Jan 15, 2021)  
Sandinista! by The Clash
Sandinista! by The Clash
1980 | Rock
9
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Album Rating
'Music For People Who Work On For Oil Rigs'
At a time when only prog-rock groups released triple albums, The Clash went out on a limb, providing a multicultural mish-mash of musical styles. Ranging from dub reggae, funk, jazz, disco, rap and even gospel, this 36 track sprawling epic covered all the musical bases. Often compared as their equivalent of The Beatles 'White' album, Sandinista! finds The Clash at their most experimental. Featuring a vast range of guest artists from dub maestro Mikey Dread, Ellen Foley and various members of The 101ers, The Blockheads, Eddie & The Hot Rods, The Voidoids and Darts(!?!) this really is a melting pot of ideas and influences.
Sandinista! can be a tough call if you decide to listen to it from start to finish, clocking in at around the 2hr 20mins mark, but I would recommend doing this on the first listen. It sets a trippy, mesmerising, and (albeit) uneven journey of a group realising there is a much bigger world out there than just London.
One critic described the album as 'music for people who work on oil rigs'. I like that...

Album highlights:
The Magnificent Seven
Look Here
The Street Parade